The Intuitive Path Blog

Ladies, Let's Change This Pattern!

… and you will ask, what is she talking about?

I am inspired to write about a pattern that I see in a lot of women including myself. This comes out of a conversation I had earlier today with one of my dearest friends in Germany. She told me about an incident with a guy that told her something very hurtful, and she actually accepted his harshness until she had a physical reaction a few days later. This made me think about a pattern that a lot of us have where we willingly take in any criticism from others because we want to make sure that we are loved and accepted. So, we accommodate whatever they are looking for in order to get what we want. But do we truly get it this way? Is there ever a way to receive self-worth and self-love from the outside? We need to look at the “self” in the equation!

As open as we are to adjusting and answering other people's expectations, as difficult it is for many of us to accept compliments, gratitude, and other gifts from others. Can we only handle the “bad” stuff? Come on, ladies, let’s change this pattern, finally and for good. Decide consciously if you want to receive the critical word from someone, if there is really a ground for it that makes you want to change for the sake of your own conscience and decision. Determine just the same if you want to receive a gift or a compliment based on your own terms. Does it come from the heart? Was it really meant in all honesty? And even if not, maybe you still want to say yes to it at times. Let’s enjoy the good stuff, give it some more weight over the “bad” stuff because most of the time we are already so critical of ourselves as it is. Isn’t this true?

Be gentle, be loving, be true, and you can give all the love and worth you need to yourself and more to others as well!

Thank you for reading and please share your insights,

Anja

Wow! I just watched this very inspiring TED talk by the hotelier Chip Conley about measuring what makes life worthwhile. So interesting and impressive!

http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2010-06-22

The Fourth Truths of FISH!

Hi Folks,

Sometimes the smallest books can have the greatest impact, maybe because we can actually get through the whole book in a few settings. Or maybe because the simplest messages have so much truth in them. Based on the recommendation of a good friend of mine I picked up Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen. My friend mentioned to me that this book was describing the effort of improving morale and the work environment in a company. I found, however, that it is just as applicable to our personal lives.

 Here is one quote from the authors: “There is always a choice about the way you do your work, even if there is not a choice about the work itself.” Isn’t the same thing true for our life in general? Whatever situation we are in, we always have the choice how we deal with it and what we make of it. Do we take it as a stepping stone or a stumbling block? Do we see the blessing in any situation or only the curse? This is the first of the four truths, and let me share with you all four:

1. Choose your attitude
2. Play
3. Engage & make other’s day
4. Be present

 Often times, we don’t feel that we have a choice how to face a situation or experience. Similarly, we can get so serious about life because yes, it is a serious matter but then there is also the part in us that wants to take it lightly, laugh about it and be creative and playful in finding solutions and insights. That’s where the second truth of play comes in which allows us to have a lighter and more creative outlook.

 When life gets too serious and we get too serious about ourselves, we might forget to be there for others because we are focused so much on fixing what’s not going right. I can personally attest to it, and I am also witness of how good it feels to engage others and attempt to make their day better whenever possible. It creates connection, a sense of purpose, and a feeling of moving forward – "even if" it starts with moving another person’s life forward. And many times, it’s the small steps of smiling at a person or holding the door that engage us with each other and lightens up our days – so much for the third truth.

 Last but not least, being present as the four truth enables us to commit to the other truths. Because as long as we are focused on the past or present, we give away the chance to choose our attitude in the moment, play with what occurs in the present, and engage with the people that are around us. Every moment is an opportunity, and if we turn it into something empowering or disempowering is our own choice!

 Ask yourself the following questions which have been inspired by the authors, and I hope they will boost your morale and improve your life results :-):

1. Who do you want to be while you live your life?
2. How could you have more fun and create more energy?
3. Who are the people around you and how can you engage them in a way that will make their day? And how can you make your own day?
4. How can you be more present with yourself and others?

Imagine what it would be like to bring your whole being to every moment in your life. That’s when we flourish and thrive.

Much love,

Anja

 PS: To find out more about the book and the philosophy behind it, check out the website: www.fishphilosophy.com

Intuitive Self-Care

Hello Everyone,

I case you missed hearing from me through my blog or my radio show, I am back in the game. My own intuitive path brought me to a time of reflection and retreat as I noticed that my message as a coach needed some new life and juice. I was able to take some time off to spend with family and friends, and it gave me time to think about my priorities in life and how I need to change course with some things. I set the intention to bring more attention, beauty and love into my life, and I strongly hope for the opportunity to share this with you as well.

How are we able to bring more attention, beauty and love into our lives? For me, I came to understand that I needed to focus more being in the present and to enjoy every moment that is given to me as a chance to grow and let go of fears and doubts about myself and my future. This is an every day exercise that I am not always good at but by focusing on it I get so much better at it ;-).

Simultaneously, I asked myself how I could give the greatest contribution to you as my readers, listeners and clients. So, the importance of self-care and self-love presented itself to me in conversations with friends and colleagues who have been so absorbed with their work that the rest of life had taken a complete back seat. I know how this feels, and I am very thankful for the time I had to step away from work. And now, I wish to share with you and help you in figuring out how to take better care of yourself so that life and work are enjoyable and energizing again instead of draining and uninspiring. We all need time away from work and we all need to satisfy other parts of our being though in challenging times like the ones we had lately, we tend to let go of self-care. I want to bring you back to what self-care means for you, what activities or non-activities, what your intuition is telling you about your needs at this point in time.

Please share with me and the other readers what intuitive self-care means for you. I welcome your comments and your general feedback about this new direction I am taking which I hope to present in this blog, on my radio show and in other venues.

Peace,

Anja